John Molander isn’t your typical retiree. At 63, his eyes light up when he talks about his large family—he’s one of nine siblings—and his passion for teaching college students how to safely rebuild homes damaged by natural disasters. But what excites him the most these days is his latest invention: an exceptionally affordable emergency ventilator.
As a lifelong inventor, problem-solving comes naturally to Molander. It’s a trait that served him well during his 34-year career at Procter & Gamble, and now, amid the pandemic, he’s applying that skill to combat a new challenge.
Before the world changed in March 2020, Molander was traveling as a consultant, solving a variety of complex issues—from understanding why ships sink after hitting icebergs to repairing hurricane-ravaged homes. In his free time, he enjoyed relaxing in his sunroom, sipping coffee, and working on improving his golf game. Running a medical nonprofit wasn’t on his radar—until the pandemic hit.
“I started receiving messages from my sister, Karin [Molander], who is the National Director of the Sepsis Alliance and treats COVID-19 patients in the Bay Area,” Molander told Upworthy. “She was on the front lines of the crisis and asked me, ‘John, what are we going to do? We see a tidal wave coming. Can you help us with ventilators?'”
And help, he did.
Molander quickly formed a team of experts, including FDA specialists, doctors, designers, engineers, and biomedical professors. “Almost everyone I approached jumped at the chance to volunteer,” he said, grateful for the rapid response.
Within three weeks, they had a working prototype. By the fourth week, Molander was wearing full protective gear, showing the ventilator to doctors and respiratory therapists. Their feedback helped the team refine the design. Just five weeks in, they received FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
“It’s unbelievable,” Molander said. “The FDA worked through Easter weekend to make this happen.”
The ventilator needed to be simple yet effective, considering the urgent crisis. The team designed a portable, durable unit with minimal parts that could be easily assembled with widely available medical-grade materials. Weighing just 14 pounds, it’s about the size of a hefty house cat.
The Venti-Now ventilator, a Class II medical device, connects to hospital air systems and has pressure monitors to ensure safe airflow. While it’s simpler than the high-tech models found in most hospitals, its portability and ability to run on a small air compressor make it ideal for use in rural or developing areas. The price tag? Less than $4,000—compared to the $55,000 cost of top-tier units.
This innovation couldn’t come at a better time, given the global ventilator shortage. To put things in perspective, Africa, with its 1.2 billion people, has only 2,000 functional ventilators. In places like Tanzania, families take turns manually operating bag valve masks to keep patients alive.
“If our ventilator can help prevent the need for intubation, that’s a win,” Molander said. “This is a war, and the virus doesn’t recognize borders.”
Molander emphasizes that everyone has a role in fighting the pandemic. He compares the battle to war, with healthcare workers on the front lines and citizens playing a supporting role. Holding up a mask, he urged people to follow health guidelines. “The mask isn’t for your protection—it’s for those around you,” he said. “It’s a small gesture that makes a big difference.”